Police in Ecuador seize 880lbs of cocaine on cargo ship

HAMBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 07: Packages containing confiscated cocaine are seen at a press conference on March 4, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany. Agents seized 260 kg of cocaine aboard the 'Tasman Mermaid', a ship that originated from Ecuador, after searching the vessel upon its arrival in Hamburg port in November, 2011. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)
(2012 Getty Images)

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) – Ecuadorean police have seized close to 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of cocaine and detained four people who allegedly tried to hide the drug in a truck that was to be put on a cargo ship in the port city of Guayaquil.

The police department says on its Twitter account that the cocaine was contained in 385 packages.

A police report says Friday's operation was the result of a two-month investigation working with European anti-drug agencies.

Ecuador is used by drug cartels in Colombia and Peru as a transshipment point for narcotics bound for the United States and Europe.